HEAD-TO-HEAD: Aberdeen Standard versus MFS IM

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MANAGER REVIEW

The Aberdeen Standard fund is run by Andrew Paisley, who is also the head of smaller companies at the firm, covering the UK, Europe, and global small-cap teams, according to McDermott.

He joined Standard Life (before the merger of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life) in 2014 as deputy head of smaller companies, becoming head of the division in March 2020. He has 20 years of investment experience and previously worked for Edinburgh Fund Managers, Kempen Capital and Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

Paisley has direct support from analyst Anjli Shah, who has nine years of investment experience and covers Southern European smaller companies, according to a Morningstar report. The firm’s smaller companies team comprises nine people in total and has been stable over time.

The MFS fund is run by co-managers Peter Fruzzetti and Sandeep Mehta, according to McDermott.

Fruzzetti is an investment officer at MFS, as well as portfolio manager of the firm’s international small-cap portfolios. He joined the firm in 2000 as an equity research analyst, becoming portfolio manager in 2004.

Mehta joined MFS in 2008 as a research analyst and was named portfolio manager in 2016. He is responsible for final buy and sell decisions, portfolio construction and risk and cash management.

“A key strength of the team is their exceptional global research platform, which includes 110 fundamental research analysts across eight global sector teams,” McDermott said.

McDermott does not have any concerns over the Aberdeen Standard and MFS teams, as the managers are experienced and have access to ample resources.

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